Former Australian tennis player Pat Cash seems to think that tennis superstar Andy Murray should call it a career and put an end to his health struggles. Three-time Grand Slam Champion Murray has yet to play a match since July and Wimbledon. The 30-year-old has been recovering from a hip injury ever since he hobbled in a Wimbledon quarter-final loss suffered to American Sam Querrey.
Murray, who turned professional in 2005, has refused to give up as he is planning to make a comeback to the game. The Scot is expected to open his 2018 campaign at the Brisbane International from December 31 - January 7.
"It's a mystery to me why Murray does not just hang his racket up and enjoy life. Obviously, he must love it," Cash told Express Sport.
Cash has no regrets
1987 Wimbledon champion Cash can relate to Scot Murray's health struggles as he knows as well as anyone how it feels to be injured. 52-year-old Cash concluded his career at the age of 32 -- after dealing with various injuries in the last five years of his career.
Cash was one of the best players of his generation as he had a successful career. The Australian is also a former two-time Davis Cup champion, as well as a two-time Australian Open singles and two-time Wimbledon men's doubles runner-up. He was ranked as high as No. 4 in the world in singles and No. 6 in doubles, respectively.
Cash revealed to Express Sport that he "felt" that he still had "something to give" to tennis but he "just couldn't get going" due to his injuries. The former Grand Slam champion also claimed that some players quit the game because they are "sick of it" and some because of injuries. He also opined that a player can make a comeback but he has got to "have that motivation." Cash himself took it all well once he retired, as he revealed: "I never really had any regrets because I knew I had given it everything."
Cash felt a 'relief'
Former Grand Slam champion Cash turned professional in 1982 and retired from tennis in 1997.
Many players last for at least a decade on the Tour as many turn professional at a young age of 18 or 19. Tennis players don't have much time to relax, as a tennis season runs until almost the end of November. The players use their short offseason to go on a short vacation and then hit the practice court and gym as they prepare for January and a new campaign. Cash enjoyed his retirement from Day 1.
"When I stopped I could go on holiday and do what I wanted to do. You don't feel guilt about sleeping in and you are not exhausted all the time. It was a big relief," one-time Grand Slam champion Cash confessed to Express Sport.